Nick Nelson

The Week Ahead

The Stretch Run Begins

With a lighter schedule on tap, two-start pitchers are less plentiful than usual in The Week Ahead but you'll still find plenty of attractive options, especially in the National League where I view nine of the 15 listed as recommended plays. See below for detailed notes on this week's two-start crop, as well as streamer suggestions, schedule breakdowns and injury updates.

* The Mets are currently utilizing a six-man rotation, so they have no two-start pitcher this week even though they play six times.

* The Twins haven't announced who will replace the demoted Scott Diamond in their rotation, but all signs point to it being Andrew Albers. The 27-year-old has put up very nice numbers in Triple-A this year, but he's a slow-tossing lefty with iffy stuff so take a wait-and-see approach.

* My sneaky two-start play of the week: Jose Quintana. He's been a rare bright spot for the Pale Hosers, with a 2.79 ERA in July, and draws home starts against the Yankees and Twins. He's available in more than 80 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

* Many owners understandably bailed on Edwin Jackson after his atrocious first half, but he's been a different guy since the beginning of July, with a 1.83 ERA and only six walks in 34 innings. I like him this week even with two road starts.

Friday, 8/9: Scott Kazmir vs. LAAOver his last eight starts, Kazmir is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA, holding opponents to a 494 OPS.

National League

Thursday, 8/8: Jhoulys Chacin @ NYMChacin has been phenomenal of late, with quality starts in seven of his last nine turns and a 2.28 ERA during that span.

Friday, 8/9: Brandon Beachy vs. MIAIn his first start back from Tommy John surgery, Beachy wasn't as bad as the numbers (3.2 IP, 7 ER) indicate. He looks like a good bet to bounce back in against the Marlins.

Saturday, 8/10: Taylor Jordan vs. PHIIn six starts for the Nationals, the rookie right-handed has registered a 3.31 ERA while allowing only five walks and two homers.

With a lighter schedule on tap, two-start pitchers are less plentiful than usual in The Week Ahead but you'll still find plenty of attractive options, especially in the National League where I view nine of the 15 listed as recommended plays. See below for detailed notes on this week's two-start crop, as well as streamer suggestions, schedule breakdowns and injury updates.

* The Mets are currently utilizing a six-man rotation, so they have no two-start pitcher this week even though they play six times.

* The Twins haven't announced who will replace the demoted Scott Diamond in their rotation, but all signs point to it being Andrew Albers. The 27-year-old has put up very nice numbers in Triple-A this year, but he's a slow-tossing lefty with iffy stuff so take a wait-and-see approach.

* My sneaky two-start play of the week: Jose Quintana. He's been a rare bright spot for the Pale Hosers, with a 2.79 ERA in July, and draws home starts against the Yankees and Twins. He's available in more than 80 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

* Many owners understandably bailed on Edwin Jackson after his atrocious first half, but he's been a different guy since the beginning of July, with a 1.83 ERA and only six walks in 34 innings. I like him this week even with two road starts.

Friday, 8/9: Scott Kazmir vs. LAAOver his last eight starts, Kazmir is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA, holding opponents to a 494 OPS.

National League

Thursday, 8/8: Jhoulys Chacin @ NYMChacin has been phenomenal of late, with quality starts in seven of his last nine turns and a 2.28 ERA during that span.

Friday, 8/9: Brandon Beachy vs. MIAIn his first start back from Tommy John surgery, Beachy wasn't as bad as the numbers (3.2 IP, 7 ER) indicate. He looks like a good bet to bounce back in against the Marlins.

Saturday, 8/10: Taylor Jordan vs. PHIIn six starts for the Nationals, the rookie right-handed has registered a 3.31 ERA while allowing only five walks and two homers.